Marston Youth Club& Jampots: The Story...

 

Marston Youth Club started in the early 1990s when Brian and Sue North joined Marston United Reformed Church in Marston Road, opposite Croft Road. They were asked to help run the church youth group. They agreed to do this provided they were allowed to invite the local young people who did not attend the church.

 

In a short space of time the church young people moved on, leaving only the non-church young people attending the youth club. The youth club continued to develop, meeting regularly on a Tuesday, and attracting about 40 young people each week, and over 700 during its existence. Other helpers, particularly from local churches, also joined the youth club, including Ken Luff and Duncan Hatfield.

 

The youth club became an important and popular part of the local community and was aimed primarily at the 9 to 13 age range. Activities included games, rounders, arts and crafts, bible-based quizzes, outings, ice-skating, a short bible-based story, playstations, a tuck shop, discos, and everyone’s favourite - “It’s a Knockout” - water based team games held at Murcott village, culminating in the assault course and the ultimate water fight.

 

In 1997 it was felt that there was a need to provide a “youth club” for 5 to 9s, which would also provide an introduction to youth club. And so Jampots was born!

 

At the first meeting there were about six children. This number gradually increased to about 40. This was lead by Pop, Miss-chief, Uncle Dunk and Jolly Tall, and sometimes Auntie. Activities include games, singing, arts and crafts, quizzes, bible stories, a tuck shop and some outings. Pretty soon some of the parents and the older teenagers helped out as well.

 

By 2001 it was felt that both Marston Youth Club and Jampots had run their course and that it was time to move onto new things. So it was with sadness that both clubs came to an end. I hope this web site will bring back good memories for those who came along, and be an introduction to those who did not, and will be a celebration of a small part of Marston’s history...